"China will work with ASEAN countries to safeguard the peace and stability of the South China Sea," he told a news briefing, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. China has been angered by U.S. patrols in the South China Sea and will be holding what the Defence Ministry terms "routine" military drills there from Tuesday. "As for the relevant dispute, China does not accept any decision imposed by a third party as a means of resolution, nor any solution plan that is forced upon China." While it could not keep up with the United States (US) in the short-term, "it should be able to let the US pay a cost it cannot stand if it intervenes in the South China Sea dispute by force," the paper said. Dai said China would not be intimidated even if Washington sent 10 carriers to the South China Sea, but warned that Washington "may be dragged into trouble against its own will and pay an unexpectedly heavy price."

Source: dna July 06, 2016 04:30 UTC